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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. ADJ8026817
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

MARIA OCHOA vs. RANGERS DIE CASTING COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision finding the applicant sustained injury to her respiratory system and psyche AOE/COE. The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr. Lipper and Dr. Curtis lacked substantiality. Specifically, the physicians failed to provide clear diagnoses, quantify exposures, or adequately explain causation. The Board noted contradictory testimony from the applicant's supervisor and insufficient evidence to support the initial findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria OchoaRangers Die Casting CompanyCOMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANYADJ8026817Los Angeles District OfficeOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings of FactWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)
References
Case No. ADJ3816448 (LAO 0789900) ADJ335314 (LAO 0818843) ADJ1177078 (LAO 0789901)
Regular
Sep 25, 2015

RAYMUNDO PITONES vs. MEL CAST LITHO, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves CIGA, the California Insurance Guarantee Association, seeking to be absolved of liability for workers' compensation benefits for an injured worker, Raymundo Pitones. CIGA argues that a settlement with another insurer for a subsequent, overlapping injury constitutes "other insurance" that should relieve CIGA of its obligations. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied CIGA's petition, finding that the subsequent settlement did not fully cover all of Pitones' injuries, particularly those that did not overlap. Therefore, CIGA remains liable for the benefits not covered by the prior settlement to ensure the applicant can recover his full benefits.

CIGACalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationMel Cast LithoInc.California Compensation Insurance CompanyliquidationSEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICESPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings of Fact and Orderworkers' compensation administrative law judge
References
Case No. PAS 0023953
En Banc
Jun 11, 2002

Lester Hershman vs. James Eisenberg Medical Group, California Compensation Insurance Company (In Liquidation), California Insurance Guarantee Association, Kemper Employers Claims Service (Servicing Facility)

The Board affirmed that the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) is liable for Labor Code section 5814 penalties for unreasonable payment delays by an insurer before insolvency, ruling they are 'covered claims' and not 'punitive damages'.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDLester HershmanJames Eisenberg Medical GroupCalifornia Compensation Insurance CompanyCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationKemper Employers Claims ServiceEN BANC DECISIONpre-liquidation delaysLabor Code section 5814 penaltiescovered claims
References
Case No. AHM 70712
Significant
Jul 15, 2002

Jeannie Karaiskos vs. Metagenics, Inc.; California Compensation Insurance Co., In Liquidation; California Insurance Guarantee Association; and Risk Enterprise Management Ltd. (Servicing Facility)

The Board held that liens for Unemployment Compensation Disability (UCD) benefits filed by the Employment Development Department (EDD) are 'covered claims' for which the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) is liable, as they constitute obligations to the injured worker rather than to the state.

California Compensation Insurance Co.California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAEDD lienUnemployment Compensation Disability (UCD) benefitscovered claimsinsolvent insurerworkers' compensation lawlien trialreconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ1857578
Regular
Jun 23, 2009

MIRNA LICEA vs. MINSON CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for PHICO INSURANCE COMPANY in liquidation

This case involves a lien claim by Missirian Orthopedic Medical Group, assigned to KM Financial Services, for medical treatment provided to Mirna Licea. The California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA), representing the insolvent insurer Phico Insurance Company, denied the lien based on Insurance Code § 1063.1(c)(9), which excludes claims by assignees. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming that the statute clearly prohibits payment to assignees, including medical providers who have assigned their accounts receivable. The Board relied on *Baxter Healthcare Corp. v. CIGA* for the principle that assigned claims are not "covered claims" under the Guarantee Act.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPhico Insurance Companyliquidationinsolvent insurerlien claimantassigneecovered claimInsurance Code 1063.1(c)(9)
References
Case No. ADJ2398835 (LAO 0799123)
Regular
Mar 26, 2010

LETICIA FERNANDEZ vs. MOUNT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, CONVERIUM INSURANCE COMPANY/SRS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SEDGWICK, INC., LEGION INSURANCE COMPANY, VILLANOVA INSURANCE COMPANY

Converium Insurance Company sought reconsideration of a decision denying its claim for reimbursement from the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). Converium had paid workers' compensation benefits to Leticia Fernandez, but later argued these payments were made in error due to applicant's denial of a specific injury. The Arbitrator recommended denying reconsideration, finding that CIGA statutes, particularly Insurance Code Sections 1063.1(c)(5) and (9), prohibit reimbursement to solvent insurance carriers for claims that are not "covered claims" or are made by assignees or subrogated parties. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board adopted the Arbitrator's report, denying Converium's petition for reconsideration.

California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAConverium Insurance CompanySRSLegion Insurance CompanyVillanova Insurance Companyliquidationreconsiderationarbitrator's reportspecific injury
References
Case No. ADJ4684775 (VEN 0117727) ADJ4381820 (VEN 0117723)
Regular
Dec 19, 2011

JOANNE LUTZ, JOANN LUTZ vs. RUSSELL WARNER dba ROTO ROOTER SERVICES, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, and for FREMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, LINDA McDONALD, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a prior ruling, allowing CIGA to pursue reimbursement from State Farm for benefits paid due to applicant's industrial injuries. The Board found that unlike a request to alter a prior award, CIGA's petition sought to enforce its statutory right to reimbursement from "available" insurance under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9). Since State Farm, as a jointly and severally liable insurer, appears to be such "available" insurance, the case is remanded for further proceedings on CIGA's reimbursement claim.

California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPaula Insurance CompanyFremont Insurance CompanyState Farm Insurance Companystipulated awardreconsiderationreimbursementcontributionother insurance
References
Case No. ADJ4399114 (POM 0281905) MF
Regular
Jun 27, 2013

RICARDO GARCIA vs. AMERICAN STAFF RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA/TRIMCO, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for CASCADE INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) seeking reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision. The WCAB ordered SCIF to reimburse the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) $27,082.67 for costs incurred in a workers' compensation claim previously settled by SCIF. SCIF argued CIGA failed to prove reasonableness of costs and timely tendered the claim. The WCAB denied SCIF's petition, affirming the prior award, finding CIGA's expenditures were reasonable and necessary given SCIF's stipulation to the amounts spent and lack of evidence to the contrary. The Board clarified CIGA's legal status but upheld the reimbursement order based on statutory obligations and public policy.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardState Compensation Insurance FundCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAreimbursementreasonable costsnecessary expenditurecompromise and releaseinvoluntary association of insurersstatutory duties
References
Case No. VEN 0120092
Regular
Apr 11, 2008

JOSE AVILA vs. SEMINIS VEGETABLE SEEDS, INC., REMEDYTEMP, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION by INTERCARE for RELIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY in liquidation, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Zurich North America's petition for reconsideration, affirming the arbitrator's decision that Zurich's policy with Seminis Vegetable Seeds constituted "other insurance." This finding relieved the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) of liability, as the applicant's claim was not a "covered claim" under CIGA's statutory authority. The Board found that despite Seminis being a special employer, its policy with Zurich covered special employees, making it primary to CIGA's involvement following the insolvency of the general employer's insurer.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSeminis Vegetable SeedsRemedyTempCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAZurich North AmericaReliance Insurance Companyliquidationspecial employergeneral employer
References
Case No. ANA 0324555
Regular
Aug 19, 2007

CONNIE CERVANTES vs. TEMPEST SERVICES INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, ITT CANON

This case concerns whether a self-insured special employer's coverage constitutes "other insurance" that would relieve the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) of liability for an injured worker's benefits. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming the administrative law judge's finding that ITT, a permissibly self-insured special employer, was liable for benefits. The Board relied on precedent establishing that self-insurance by an employer is considered "other insurance" under relevant statutes, thus excluding CIGA's coverage.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardGeneral employerSpecial employerPermissibly self-insuredCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGALiquidationCovered claimsOther insuranceInsurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)
References
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